NU Online News Service, June 29, 3:40 p.m. EDT

Officials say the worst of the Schultz fire, burning just four miles north of Flagstaff, Ariz., is over, as firefighters are in the mop-up phase.

The U.S. Forest Service said the forest fire, which burned 15,075 acres, is 75 percent contained and they estimate the fire should be fully contained by July 2.

An abandoned campfire is blamed for starting the fire that began on June 20 and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from the seven surrounding communities. No individuals have been identified as the culprits for starting the blaze.

The only injury reported was a scraped knee, and there were no reports of any structural damage.

Officials say the fire, to date, has cost more than $7.6 million to fight.

Last week, Jersey City, N.J.-based Insurance Services Office Inc.'s subsidiary, Property Claim Services, said it was monitoring the fire in Arizona and no catastrophe claims number was assigned.

A catastrophe is defined by ISO as an event that causes $25 million or more in insured property losses and affects a significant number of property and casualty policyholders and insurers.

A spokesperson said by e-mail that PCS did not assign a catastrophe number to the Schultz fire.

Special Reports /

Ariz. Firefighters Gaining Control Of Schultz Fire

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